2012 ISSA Tournament Rules and Information

1. GAME RULES:

All playing rules and regulations for the tournament will be governed by the 2012 ASA Official Guide and Rule Book with the following clarifications and exceptions:

A. The homerun limit in the Major Plus Division will be nine (9) then the one-up rule. Over the fence homeruns beyond the limit are singles. Teams can score a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning until the last inning which is open.

B. The homerun limit in the Major Division will be six (6) then the one-up rule. Over the fence homeruns beyond the limit are outs. Teams can score a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning until the last inning which is open.

C. The homerun limit in the AAA Divisions will be three (3). Over the fence homeruns beyond the limit are outs. Teams can score a maximum of five (5) runs per inning until the last inning which is open.

D. The homerun limit in the AA Divisions will be one (1). Over the fence homeruns beyond the limit are outs. Teams can score a maximum of five (5) runs per inning until the last inning which is open.

E. A tie ball game will begin the extra inning(s) using the International Tie Breaker Rule (See Rule 5.10 of the ASA Code) until a winner is determined.

F. The number of divisions in each age classification will depend on the number and rating of the entered teams. When divisions are combined in Preliminary Pool Play the lower homerun limit will be in effect.

G. The over-the-fence homeruns are walk off. The batter and all base runners are not required to advance to the next base and may exit the field of play.

H. The 4-3 pitch count with NO courtesy foul will be used in championship play.

I. A time limit will be in effect for all games until the championship game. After one hour and ten minutes the teams will complete the inning they are in and play one more inning (last inning unless a tie game requires continuation.) The game time limit will not apply to the championship game or "if" game if necessary in all divisions of play.

J. All bat models approved for the Senior Division by ASA, ISF, USSSA, NSA, ISA, ISSA, SPA and SS-USA will be allowed in this tournament. Bats allowed in the Masters Division (35+) must be ASA Certified or BPF 1.20 Approved by either ASA, ISF, USSSA, NSA and/or ISA.

K. The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of at least six (6) feet from the ground and not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground.

L. The six foot pitching box will be used for all divisions of play including the Masters Division.

2. FORMAT:

In championship tournaments play on the first day will begin with preliminary pool play to determine seeding. In four team pools the winners of games 1 and 2 play for 1st and 2nd seed and the losers of games 1 and 2 play for 3rd and 4th seed. Ties in three team pools will be broken by fewest runs allowed and then by head-to-head. Ties in the five team pools will be broken by head-to-head then fewest runs allowed. Teams will be scheduled a minimum of four (4) games. (The format for preliminary pool play may vary depending on the number and rating of the teams).

Championship play will be double elimination.

3. UNIFORMS:

All teams are encouraged to compete in identical uniforms, short and long pants may be mixed. Coaches should either be in team uniforms or dressed identically in the team colors. Any decision on uniforms is handled by the tournament officials and is not subject to team protest.

4. LINE-UPS:

Tournament officials will provide line-up cards if needed. An official line-up must be submitted to the opposing team and scorekeeper (if available) prior to the last inning of the preceding game and given to the umpire prior to game.

5. GAME TIMES:

Please follow the times listed on the tournament bracket. Game time is forfeit time. Teams should be prepared to immediately start a game once the preceding game is completed. A time limit will be in effect for Preliminary Games and Double Elimination games.

6. INFIELD PRACTICE:

NO infield practice will be permitted. Warm-up is allowed in designated areas only. Teams may warm-up in the outfield grass if time permits. Teams wishing to practice may reserve (if available) a practice field by contacting the tournament officials.

7. BENCH AREA:

Players, coaches, sponsors and a bat person are the only individuals allowed in the bench area.

8. PROTESTS:

The tournament committee will decide all protests. As manager, please be familiar will rules of the game including proper protest procedure. See ASA playing rule 11.

9. RUN RULE:

The twelve (12) run rule is in effect after 5 innings and a twenty (20) run rule will be in effect after 4 innings. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the total to go ahead by the limit while at bat. The run rule is in effect for all games including the championship games.

10. RAIN DELAY:

In the event of rain or any cause which interrupts a game, the game must be resumed at the exact point where it was stopped. It is the manager's responsibility to contact the Tournament Representative at the field for rescheduled game information.

In the event the tournament can't be completed within the scheduled time frame and more than forty-percent (40%) of the scheduled double elimination games have been completed, the official final order of finish will be determined by the position of the teams in the bracket. The following procedures will be used to break ties and among teams in the same spot in the bracket:

a. Won-loss records except among undefeated teams.

b. If only two teams are tied for a position and have played each other, the winner of that game.

c. The teams will be ranked according to the fewest runs allowed per game played.

d. If a tie still exists, by a coin toss.

WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMPLETE THE TOURNAMENT EVEN IF WE MUST PLAY AROUND THE CLOCK AND UNDER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE TOURNAMENT FORMAT WILL BE MODIFIED IF NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE GAMES AND CROWN THE WORLD CHAMPIONS. TEAMS SHOULD REPORT TO THEIR SCHEDULED FIELD FOR RAIN DELAY INSTRUCTIONS. IN THE EVENT OF PROLONGED RAIN PLEASE CONTACT A TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

11. HOME TEAM

The Home Team is determined by a coin toss prior to the start of each game.

12. TEAM SEATING:

The team listed first or at the top of the bracket will use the first base dugout. The team listed second or on the bottom of the bracket will use the third base dugout. In the event a team plays back-to-back they will not be required to move to another dugout.

13. SPECIAL DIVISION RULES:

In the 65+ men’s divisions and up and all women’s divisions eleven defensive players shall constitute a team. ASA rules for re-entry and extra players will apply.

14. CONDUCT:

Team Managers and coaches are asked to have complete control of their players both on and off the playing field. Any report of damage by hotel and/or park management will be dealt with by the tournament committee.

15. ELIGIBILITY:

Participation in ISSA World Championships is open to amateur players only. A player may only play with one team per Age Division. A player on two rosters in different age classifications must be at the same skill level unless approved otherwise by the tournament director. All United States teams should refer to the ASA code and check with the Tournament officials for clarifications and interpretations. The 2012 ASA Rule Book has established residency requirements for team rosters.

Teams must play with the same roster that was used to determine their classification by the ISSA Rating Committee. The use of any pickup players must be approved in writing by the tournament staff prior to the tournament and may result in a higher team classification. A complete and accurate player softball history must accompany any request to use pickup players.

Non-rated teams must submit their roster in advance for approval and team classification. Teams with no playing history will not be placed in the AA Division under most circumstances.

16. ADMISSION:

There will be no admission charge.

17. IDENTIFICATION CHECK:

All players will be required to check with the tournament committee and produce proof of identity with a picture ID. Players are required to carry their ID at all times since random ID checks may be made prior to any game.

18. AWARDS:

The following awards will be given:

1. All Divisions:

Sponsor Award to the top 3 teams

Individual Awards - See Fact Sheet for specific tournament

19. BATS:

All bats used in ISSA play for the senior divisions must be official softball bats certified by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and/or certified BPF 1.21 or less (unless prior approval given by the tournament officials). Bats must have their original paint markings for complete identification. Tournament officials have the right to keep any bat suspected of being altered or otherwise illegal for a period of thirty (30) days to have it inspected and/or tested. Any bat found to be altered or illegal could result in the player and manager being disqualified from future participation in senior softball. Any team protesting a bat alleging it to be altered must post the Bat Protest Fee of $350.00.

20. PROTECTIVE GEAR

The current bats first pose a clear competitive imbalance issue and to a much lesser extent a risk of injury issue. The use of too soft bats by some players and not others is an unfair advantage which ISSA believes must be removed from the game. In addition, it has been argued that such bats may increase the risk of injury from a batted ball. Even with the current composite bats in play during recent years, it remains the statistical and insurance experience that the game of softball remains among the safest athletic activities in America. However, this does not mean there is no risk of injury from a batted ball. There is, and always has been, risk inherent in the game of senior softball from being struck with a batted (or even thrown) ball, A risk of injury from a batted (or thrown) ball does exist. Anyone who has a concern about an injury occurring from being struck with a ball during an ISSA Senior Softball organized tournament should address that concern by the use of protective gear which is available and has always been allowed in ISSA play.

21. BALLS:

All balls used in the ISSA senior tournaments are ISSA-COR44, 375 psi Compression.

22. SOUVENIRS:

Souvenir T-shirts will be available throughout the weekend at some venues.

23. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/PETS:

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES may be brought into most of the parks. Park Rangers often monitor the parks and any player(s) caught with alcoholic beverages may be disallowed in the park system for the remainder of the tournament. Pets are not allowed to run loose in most parks. Participants should verify park rules at each venue and comply.

24. ENTRY FEE REFUNDS

Entry fees are non-refundable. Teams that withdraw after paying the entry fee and more than 30 days prior to the start of the tournament may be given a credit toward a future ISSA tournament in the same calendar year. Written requests for a partial refund for withdrawal with cause may be considered.

24. CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS:
The players on the winning team in each division of play in ring tournaments are eligible to purchase an ISSA World Championship Ring. Ring orders can be made directly with Jostens by contacting their ISSA representative, Scott Miller at 540-786-0110, 4121 Plank Road #504, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or email
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